Rookies are always a risk in fantasy because the game speed is so different compared to college. Very few draft classes have rookies that make a huge splash in the fantasy world (unless you're talking about 2003 draft class, by far the best in the last decade). From Blake Griffin to Tyler Hansbrough, we'll take a look at the lottery picks from the 2009 NBA Draft and point out what kind of impact (if any) they will have on their respective teams. Most of these guys are worth keeping an eye out on throughout the season as their roles could expand.
Blake Griffin (LAC)- SF/PF:
The most gifted athlete of the class. Will put up the best numbers of the class as well. Griffin is in the perfect situation too with the Clip Show. The only thing that needs to happen is getting enough PT, which I'm sure he'll get sooner, rather than later. He was already given the keys to the franchise by the Clippers, so it's only a matter of time.
-Definitely draft him.
Hasheem Thabeet (MEM)- C:
As Griffin the most athletic, Thabeet is the rawest of the lottery picks. Didn't have much of an offensive game at Uconn, so it's unlikely one training camp would help much. His role for fantasy teams would be a shot-blocking specialist. He won't get enough field goal attempts to significantly help your FG% even though he'll shoot a high one (majority of his shots will be from offensive rebound put backs). It also hurts that he won't even be in the starting lineup as he'll spell Z-Bo and Marc Gasol.
-May be worth a late round pick, but certainly wouldn't reach for him.
James Harden (OKC)- PG/SG:
Harden is the best pure scorer of the class. His silky smooth play and unlimited range makes him a deadly weapon for what is already a young-talented Thunder squad. He'll most likely start at the SG spot for them. Being surrounded by Durant, Green and Westbrook should take the pressure off Harden from having to score points. This could translate into decent scoring, nice percentages, and his playmaking ability will lead to some assists (since Westbrook isn't a pure PG).
-Draft somewhere in the late rounds.
Tyreke Evans (SAC)- PG/SG:
The former Memphis diaper dandy (as Dickie V would call them) doesn't exactly have a set position in the NBA just yet. He played PG for the Tigers, but could very well be a better scorer than setting up other teammates. Evans will probably begin the season coming off the bench, but could eventually work his way into the starting lineup. His stats may be a bit sporadic as his shooting still needs improvement.
-Probably stay away from him.
Ricky Rubio (MIN)- PG/SG:
Only if you're playing fantasy European basketball should you draft him...maybe next year?
-Don't draft at all.
Johnny Flynn (MIN)- PG/SG:
Flynn, now won't have to compete with Rubio for PT, but will now have to challenge, newly acquired, Ramon Sessions. It was a strange signing for the T-wolves after drafting 3 PGs (traded Ty Lawson to the Nuggets). It seemed like Flynn was going to be their man until then. The signing, however, could increase his value as he'll split time at point guard and shooting guard giving you scoring and assists.
-Probably wouldn't draft him.
Stephen Curry (GSW)- PG/SG:
Curry couldn't have been more thrilled after being selected by the Warriors. His game fits Nellie's system perfectly in the run n' gun styled offense. The best shooter in the draft class, and is already a favorite of Nellie. There will be plenty of shots to go around Golden State. Looks like he'll start the year at point guard as well.
-Definitely draft him.
Jordan Hill (NYK)- SF/PF:
At least a year away from finding enough minutes on the court to have any fantasy value. The Knicks drafted Hill as insurance, if they had lost David Lee via free agency. As long as Lee is in the Big Apple, Hill won't be needed.
-Stay away from him, unless he somehow manages to find minutes.
DeMar DeRozan (TOR)- SG/SF/PF:
Has the athletic ability for the NBA. Never had the ability to create his own shot back at USC. It's a good thing the Raptors have Jose Calderon and, free agent acquisition, Hedo Turkoglu, to create open opportunities for DeRozan. He's listed as the starter at SG, but could lose the job to the sharp-shooting Marco Belinelli.
-May be worth a late flier on. Keep an eye on him as the season progresses.
Brandon Jennings (MIL)- PG:
Tough to tell how Jennings will do in the NBA since he went overseas to play. He's lightning quick and has the ability to show his high-fly acts. The Bucks will probably hand him the starting spot later in the season as Luke Ridnour isn't part of their future plans. The Bucks also don't have a lot of talent on the squad.
-Worth a very late round pick.
Terrence Williams (NJN)- SG/SF/PF:
Williams is very intriguing given his ability to play three different positions out on the court. The Nets really love what he brings to the table. They also have tons of young talent, so it's hard to judge which guy will get the majority of the minutes.
-Late round-don't draft at all.
Gerald Henderson (CHA)- SG/SF:
It's very hard for a rookie to crack the rotation of a Larry Brown coached team. Henderson is no different. Brown loves to rely on his veterans. Henderson is athletically gifted, but if he sees time on the court it'll most likely be for his defense rather than his offense.
-Stay away.
Tyler Hansbrough (IND)- SF/PF:
The ACC player of the year has a motor that doesn't stop. Hansbrough only knows how to play one way, and that's all-out. This could help him find his way onto the court as the Pacers seriously lack toughness inside the paint. Won't do much in the stat sheet other than rebounding.
-Worth a very late round pick.
Blake Griffin (LAC)- SF/PF:
The most gifted athlete of the class. Will put up the best numbers of the class as well. Griffin is in the perfect situation too with the Clip Show. The only thing that needs to happen is getting enough PT, which I'm sure he'll get sooner, rather than later. He was already given the keys to the franchise by the Clippers, so it's only a matter of time.
-Definitely draft him.
Hasheem Thabeet (MEM)- C:
As Griffin the most athletic, Thabeet is the rawest of the lottery picks. Didn't have much of an offensive game at Uconn, so it's unlikely one training camp would help much. His role for fantasy teams would be a shot-blocking specialist. He won't get enough field goal attempts to significantly help your FG% even though he'll shoot a high one (majority of his shots will be from offensive rebound put backs). It also hurts that he won't even be in the starting lineup as he'll spell Z-Bo and Marc Gasol.
-May be worth a late round pick, but certainly wouldn't reach for him.
James Harden (OKC)- PG/SG:
Harden is the best pure scorer of the class. His silky smooth play and unlimited range makes him a deadly weapon for what is already a young-talented Thunder squad. He'll most likely start at the SG spot for them. Being surrounded by Durant, Green and Westbrook should take the pressure off Harden from having to score points. This could translate into decent scoring, nice percentages, and his playmaking ability will lead to some assists (since Westbrook isn't a pure PG).
-Draft somewhere in the late rounds.
Tyreke Evans (SAC)- PG/SG:
The former Memphis diaper dandy (as Dickie V would call them) doesn't exactly have a set position in the NBA just yet. He played PG for the Tigers, but could very well be a better scorer than setting up other teammates. Evans will probably begin the season coming off the bench, but could eventually work his way into the starting lineup. His stats may be a bit sporadic as his shooting still needs improvement.
-Probably stay away from him.
Ricky Rubio (MIN)- PG/SG:
Only if you're playing fantasy European basketball should you draft him...maybe next year?
-Don't draft at all.
Johnny Flynn (MIN)- PG/SG:
Flynn, now won't have to compete with Rubio for PT, but will now have to challenge, newly acquired, Ramon Sessions. It was a strange signing for the T-wolves after drafting 3 PGs (traded Ty Lawson to the Nuggets). It seemed like Flynn was going to be their man until then. The signing, however, could increase his value as he'll split time at point guard and shooting guard giving you scoring and assists.
-Probably wouldn't draft him.
Stephen Curry (GSW)- PG/SG:
Curry couldn't have been more thrilled after being selected by the Warriors. His game fits Nellie's system perfectly in the run n' gun styled offense. The best shooter in the draft class, and is already a favorite of Nellie. There will be plenty of shots to go around Golden State. Looks like he'll start the year at point guard as well.
-Definitely draft him.
Jordan Hill (NYK)- SF/PF:
At least a year away from finding enough minutes on the court to have any fantasy value. The Knicks drafted Hill as insurance, if they had lost David Lee via free agency. As long as Lee is in the Big Apple, Hill won't be needed.
-Stay away from him, unless he somehow manages to find minutes.
DeMar DeRozan (TOR)- SG/SF/PF:
Has the athletic ability for the NBA. Never had the ability to create his own shot back at USC. It's a good thing the Raptors have Jose Calderon and, free agent acquisition, Hedo Turkoglu, to create open opportunities for DeRozan. He's listed as the starter at SG, but could lose the job to the sharp-shooting Marco Belinelli.
-May be worth a late flier on. Keep an eye on him as the season progresses.
Brandon Jennings (MIL)- PG:
Tough to tell how Jennings will do in the NBA since he went overseas to play. He's lightning quick and has the ability to show his high-fly acts. The Bucks will probably hand him the starting spot later in the season as Luke Ridnour isn't part of their future plans. The Bucks also don't have a lot of talent on the squad.
-Worth a very late round pick.
Terrence Williams (NJN)- SG/SF/PF:
Williams is very intriguing given his ability to play three different positions out on the court. The Nets really love what he brings to the table. They also have tons of young talent, so it's hard to judge which guy will get the majority of the minutes.
-Late round-don't draft at all.
Gerald Henderson (CHA)- SG/SF:
It's very hard for a rookie to crack the rotation of a Larry Brown coached team. Henderson is no different. Brown loves to rely on his veterans. Henderson is athletically gifted, but if he sees time on the court it'll most likely be for his defense rather than his offense.
-Stay away.
Tyler Hansbrough (IND)- SF/PF:
The ACC player of the year has a motor that doesn't stop. Hansbrough only knows how to play one way, and that's all-out. This could help him find his way onto the court as the Pacers seriously lack toughness inside the paint. Won't do much in the stat sheet other than rebounding.
-Worth a very late round pick.
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